Over a fifth of UK homes suffer from mould, damp, or condensation, study finds
Damp, mould, and condensation are plaguing more than a fifth of UK households – with one in three Brits struggling to know how to reduce or remove the problem, a study has found.
One in five adults regularly find “excessive” condensation in their homes – with 12% even having been forced to relocate for good just as a result of this alone.
And 21% are currently living with damp, while 24% have found mould in their home – with 24%, of the 2,000 adults polled, unsure as to what causes these issues.
The most commonly-affected surfaces for mould, damp, and condensation were found to be windows (65%), walls (61%), and ceilings (43%).
And 42% say they have reduced the amount they heat their home this winter due to the rising cost of energy – exacerbating the issue.
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Ceilings and walls are the most likely areas to be affected (SWNS)Some of the top ways Brits have attempted to tackle the problem include ventilating areas when drying clothes indoors (34%), keeping lids on pans when cooking (29%), and opening windows at night (23%).
Others have invested in anti-mould spray (36%), dehumidifiers (36%), and portable heaters (16%).
And 71% have spent money in an effort to get rid of damp, condensation, or mould in the past 18 months – an average of £92.
This is almost a quarter (23%) of the £400 energy support that households received from the Government.
A spokesman for Utilita Energy, which commissioned the study, said: “This latest research confirms the size of the problem.
“Affording to stay warm is hard enough as it is, without all the additional problems that come with having a damp home.
“Our nationwide rollout of free Bill Buster sessions has enabled us to hear first-hand from households who are struggling with various issues related to the cost of energy – condensation and damp were a common theme.”
The study also found renters seem to suffer more, with 34% of them living with mould – compared to 22% of homeowners.
And 27% of renters are suffering with damp, in contrast to just 19% of owners.
More than a third of tenants (35%) reached out to their landlord for help or advice – only for 44% to not hear back.
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This left them feeling frustrated (69%) and helpless (43%).
More than one in ten have had to relocate completely due to condensation in their homes (SWNS)It also emerged three-quarters do not know their legal rights as a renter when it comes to damp.
A fifth (21%) of all those polled have struggled with condensation in the past 12 months more than ever before.
And 44% believe if increasing costs continue, everyone will experience a similar issue at some point.
Almost two-thirds (61%) don’t think there has been enough help from the likes of the Government or councils to assist in the rising cost of energy this winter.
As a result of condensation specifically, one in four have been forced to throw away soft furnishings such as cushions or blinds, while 23% have had to replace clothes.
Common ways to see to the issue include wiping down surfaces to remove it (60%), and placing a heater near the affected area (22%) – while 19% have even called in an expert to help.
But more than three-quarters (79%), polled via OnePoll, aren't aware of grants available so they can improve their property to avoid damp, condensation, and mould.
Utilita Energy’s spokesman added: “Being a specialist Smart PAYG energy provider, around 75% of our customer base are tenants, hence this awareness campaign.
“We hope landlords will take notice and be more forthcoming with support to avoid long-term damage.”
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